Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-06-11

We're set off to advantage.
Mr.. Craydocke, who had always been fond
of Role, and did not hesitate to show it when
the maintenance of social distinctions was
not at stake, received him cordially, and
heaved sigh of relief when he had unbur-
dened himself of his business troubles, and
began to receive the benefit of Rolfe's knowl-
edge of affairs. Rolfe was not long domiciled
before he learned some interesting bits of
news. After the fight at the tavern, Lord
Creighton, as soon as he was able to get
about, left for Annapolis making cold and
formal leave-taking. He went back to Eng
land, and had returned to the province only
about six months ago, and since then had
been assiduous in his attentions to Miss
Edith. After being defeated in one of those
sieges i'll which he thought himself irresisti-
BILE, he had eventually fallen under the do
minion of a genuine passion, and was now
making fair and open struggle to obtain
Miss Edith hand in marriage, but the young
lady seemed to care less for him than ever.
This information, which he gathered by
bits, gave Rolfe plenty of matter for thought
He was amazed that he could have ever har-
bored the suspicious he did in regard to Miss
Craydocke's relations with Lord Creighton
and thought of his conduct with bitter re-
morse. If only there were some way in
which he could show his contrition and hui
mility! AS to ever again entertaining any
hopes of her regard, he did not think of it for
moment. He could not bear to contemplate
the idea of preparing for himself such an
other terrible humiliation as he had before
sustained. He would do what he could to
assist his former patron, he would extract
what pleasure he could from his stay, and
he would go back to Western Maryland and
try to forget all sentimental woes in the ex-
elements and activities of his life there.
So the man proposed; but the woman dis
posed matters otherwise.
A party of English visitors from Annapo-
lis were to be entertained at the manor on
Christmas Day, and the neighboring gentry
were coming over to meet them. Although
there was to be a grand ball on Christmas
night at the manor-house, yet, for the enter
tainment of the English visitors, there was
to be fox-hunt in the afternoon. Our robust
ancestors could endure such fatigues. They
could ride thirty miles in a fox-hunt, put up
at the nearest mansion, and be cordially well
come, and spend the night i'll dancing or at
the card table. On the afternoon of the day
before Christmas the Annapolis party arrived,
the ladies of the party in coach and four,
with liveried outriders. And now all was
hustle at the manor-house, and its long, one
story wings and its out-buildings. Servants
scampered up and down the stairs, and the
cook developed into an autocrat that it
would have been dangerous for the Gar him
self to NEEDLE with. Old Maryland houses
were never full, were there twenty persons
for each room. 1t was a wonder how the
ladies, packed together as they were, had
space to get up those monstrosities of COS
tune and hair dressing which the fashion of
the day required. Was it to give her guests
more room that Miss Edith had come down
stairs in the dusk of the evening, before sup
per was ready, and was it to revive her frame
in the bracing evening air that she had
wrapped her cloak about her and come out
in the cold porch?
Captain John Rolfe was walking up and
down in the shade of the long porch, prefer
| ring its chill seclusion to the noise and hustle
within. He was thinking of the events of a
Christmas Eve three years ago. Miss Cray
docke gave start of surprise at seeing him.
81 felt rather faint" she explained, land
thought I'd come out for breath of fresh
| air."
1.-THE negroes have made great fires in
honor of Christmas, although the weather
does not call for such, and it is indeed warm
indoors" said Captain Rolfe, stopping in his